Highland Council strengthens Net Zero progress with improved reporting and funding commitments

21st May 2026

Highland Council strengthens Net Zero progress with improved reporting and funding commitments

Members of Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee today welcomed progress in delivering the Council’s Net Zero Programme, with new measures to improve carbon reporting, strengthen investment decisions, and secure funding for projects across the Highlands.

Taken together, these measures reflect a wider shift towards a more coordinated, programme-led approach to climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, following the direction agreed by Council in March 2026.

Chair of Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee, Councillor Kate Willis, said: “We are making steady progress in delivering our Net Zero Programme, and this work reflects our commitment to a more joined-up approach across the Council.

By improving how we measure and manage emissions, embedding Net Zero into investment decisions, and working more closely across services and partners, we can support well-informed decision-making, attract funding and deliver meaningful benefits for communities across the Highlands.”

Strengthening carbon reporting and decision-making

A key focus of the next phase of work is improving how the Council measures and manages carbon emissions. Members welcomed a proposed approach to introduce a centralised system to bring together emissions data across Council operations, buildings, fleet and supply chains. This includes emissions linked to the goods and services the Council buys, helping to ensure that action to reduce emissions goes beyond its own operations.

Benefits will include:

More accurate, efficient and transparent reporting
Better forecasting and scenario planning.

Stronger links between carbon data and investment decisions.

A more robust evidence base to support funding applications.

This work also supports the Council’s Social Value Charter, helping to ensure procurement activity delivers wider community wealth building benefits alongside emissions reduction.

Embedding climate considerations into investment decisions

The Council is also making progress in embedding Net Zero principles into its capital programme and investment decisions.

A recent pilot has helped identify how the carbon impact of projects can be better understood across their full lifespan, from construction through to operation. This will help ensure the long-term impact of projects on emissions is considered alongside cost when making decisions about major investments.

Securing funding to support Net Zero delivery

The Council has secured significant external funding to support its Net Zero ambitions, totalling in the region of £23.3 million during 2025/26. This includes:

£16.4 million to deliver energy efficiency improvements to 722 domestic properties.

£948,000 invested through the Salix Recycling Fund supporting energy efficiency improvements.

Over £5.6 million secured for delivery in 2026/27, including funding for low-emission transport and energy efficiency projects.

Work is also underway to develop a coordinated pipeline of projects, helping the Council plan ahead, attract further funding and deliver more projects across Highland.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

What Changes in Highland Today? New Rules for Private Hire Drivers and a Fresh Garden Waste Year

For most people in Highland, 1 September is simply the start of another month.  But today also marks the beginning of two changes introduced by Highland Council which will affect different groups of residents.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

 
Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election.  There are 5 candidaes.  

31/8/2026 : Local Authority

Head Teacher at Thurso High School, outlined measures that have helped improve educational outcomes

Highland Council’s strategy to raise attainment in the region is making good progress, with encouraging early data emerging from this year's examination results.   Last week councillors on the education committee noted the work undertaken in Highland Council's Education and Learning Improvement Plan (ELIP) and the associated Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS).  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

Council Funded Advice services assist 25,000 customers and exceed £30.3 million in financial gains

Almost 25,000 customers were assisted by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues.   As a result, financial gains for clients exceeded £30.3 million, representing a £18.84 return for every £1 allocated to these services by the Council.  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do We Need a New Kind of Cemetery? Could Highland's Greenspaces Help Make Funerals More Affordable?

There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died.   The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.  

26/8/2026 : Local Authority

The Triple Squeeze: Energy, Mortgages and Council Tax — How Much More Can Households Take?

There is a point at which individual increases in household costs stop being individual problems and become something much bigger.   A £100 increase in the annual energy bill may be manageable.  

24/8/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso Schools: Public Meeting and Statutory Consultation – Key Dates

Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town.   The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Public consultation to help shape future policy protecting Highland's dark skies

Councillors have approved the launch of a public consultation on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across the Highlands, supporting environmental protection, public wellbeing and the area's internationally recognised dark skies.   Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee yesterday (Thursday 20 August) agreed to publish the draft Reducing Light Pollution: Good Practice Guidance for consultation, once minor clarifications are included, giving residents, communities, businesses and developers the opportunity to help shape future policy.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Highland bus service improvement plans

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has endorsed plans to launch a 12-week public consultation on a proposed Highland Bus Service Improvement Partnership (BSIP), giving communities, passengers and stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the future of bus services across the region.   The consultation will seek views on draft proposals developed by The Highland Council in partnership with HITRANS and bus operators to improve the operational performance, accessibility, attractiveness and consistency of bus services across Highland.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Demand for social housing remains high across Highland Butit is part of a biggr Scottish Problem

Demand for social housing across the Highlands remains high, with almost 8,826 households on the Highland Housing Register (HHR).   Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “The demand for social housing across Highland remains significant and continues to outstrip the number of homes available in many areas.